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Perpetually Behind

Another month past, another month where it feels like I’ve accomplished virtually nothing, despite feeling overwhelmingly busy. I keep thinking “next month” will be my month to get back on top of things, but I remember distinctly telling myself that back in August as well. Then September. And now we’re ten days into October and I’m telling myself the same thing again.

So what derailed me this time? More domestic stuff, as usual. We had the kids’ flu shots, my doctor’s appointments, the issues with the sprinkler system failing (do NOT mention our water bill), dealing with pest control (We’ve needed them 4 times this month and counting!) school transitions, homework, sight words, etc.

I don’t know how other parents do it.

Actually, that’s not true. Other parents probably don’t try and do everything all at once. Working parents don’t volunteer every week at their children’s school. I’m only supposed to be in the classroom 30 minutes a week, but it somehow ends up being more like 60-90 minutes to the end of the lesson and after clean up. Stay at home parents have more time between school pick up and bed time to knock out homework and practice sight words.

Other parents of school aged kids are probably not also pregnant and dealing with reduced air quality thanks to the overwhelming wild fires. I have become our family’s canary in the coal mine. I get headaches whenever the air quality index gets above 150 that are bad enough to wake me up in the middle of the night.

I keep thinking I am living the best of both worlds; I’m able to be home when I need to, and still hold on to my professional career on my schedule. Sometimes, I’m learning, the mix goes the other way. I have been picking up the kids between 5 and 5:30, but that leaves only enough time for dinner and bath before bed. Nicole is usually so tired by the end of the day that trying to squeeze in homework ends up being an exercise in frustration. Chores, chores and more chores keep me from working as much as I want to during the day.

So I’m doing my best to re-center myself and find a schedule that works.

Technically Nicole isn’t supposed to have homework on the weekends. She’s supposed to turn in her homework folder on Friday, to get back on Monday. I’ve taken to photocopying the calendar so we can cross off a few of her tasks between Friday and Monday. I’ve also started picking her up early on Wednesdays so we can go over sight words. Going over them once in the middle of the week, and on the weekends seems to be the magic elixir to help her remember them.

Datayze may not be getting the attention it deserves, but at least it’s market share is continuing to grow without me. Passive business models are a entrepreneur/parent’s best friend. This busy period, too, shall pass.